Daily Variety articles from February 2002

Daily Variety archives from February 2002

NL keeps 'Q' date but loses 'Member'.(New Line Cinema)('John Q' movie)(Austin Powers movie 'Goldmember')(MGM/UA)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Call it "The Movie Formerly Known as Goldmember." The Motion Picture Assn, of America on Thursday denied New Line's appeal of an earlier decision blocking use of the title "Austin Powers in Goldmember" for the third installment of the...

Tight belt buoys Mouse.(Walt Disney Co. finances)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... The Mouse House seemed a slightly happier place Thursday, as Disney posted a less severe falloff than expected in fiscal first-quarter profit, thanks to an investment gain and cost-saving steps at slumping theme parks. Although broadcast...

'Lord' a-leaping: Frog launches film foray with $160 mil deal.(WB Television Network)(New Line Cinema Corp.)(Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- The WB Network is going to the movies -- big time. Although New Line and the WB were still discussing the fine print on Thursday, WB has agreed to pay at least $75 million for New Line's "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the...

Ferrari pic gearing up.(Enzo Ferrari biographic motion picture)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Gentlemen, start your engines: Spyglass Entertainment, Mirage Enterprises and Michael Mann's Forward Pass are teaming to produce a biopic on Enzo Ferrari. The automotive mogul's family redefined the concept of the Italian sports car and...

Board bolts Venice fest.(Venice International Film Festival)(Biennale arts board, Italy)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... VENICE -- This year's Venice Intl. Film Festival is in disarray after the board of Italy's Biennale, the arts council that controls the fest, stepped down Thursday, four months before the end of its term. The exodus also ends the contracts...

They don't call it boob tube for nothing. (Inside Moves).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Daytime TV does not an American make, at least according to President Bush. "You know, I like to tell people that the enemy must have been watching too much daytime TV. They thought we were soft. They thought we would weaken....

Lewine hits Mann deal snag. (Inside Moves).(Jeff Lewine)(Mann Theaters)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Insiders suggest Warner Bros. and Paramount are suddenly much less optimistic they'll be able to sell off most of Mann Theatres to Jeff Lewine, after the Pittsburgh-based businessman hit 11th-hour financing snags. The terms of a standing...

Book CEO exits at Viacom. (Inside Moves).(Simon and Schuster CEO Jonathan Newcomb)(integration of book publisher into Viacom Entertainment Group)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Newcomb stepped down Thursday as Viacom moved to boost synergies between the book division and its TV and film assets. S&S, previously a stand-alone unit of Viacom, will be integrated into the Viacom...

UTA adds 2 partners: Lit agents Kramer, Bowen rise to top slots. (Inside Moves).(literary agents David Kramer, Marty Bowen)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... UTA senior literary agents David Kramer and Marty Bowen have been elevated to partnership status at the percentery. The agency has evolved into a haven for strong young writing and directing talent, and Kramer and Bowen represent some of...

APG's prexy Schulman makes plans to ankle. (Inside Moves).(Artists Production Group, Cathy Schulman)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... CLAUDE BRODESSER A week to the day after producer Mark Canton arrived as chairman and CEO of Artists Production Group, Cathy Schulman is negotiating to ankle her post as APG's prexy. She is in talks to segue to an as-yet-undefined...

Working Title 'Wired'. (Inside Moves).(Miguel Sapochnik to direct)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Working Title has tapped helmer Miguel Sapoch-nik to develop and helm "Wired" from a script by Roy Carlson. Working Title's Eric Fellner and Chris Clark will produce. Company, which shelled out mid-six figures for the script,...

Oscar watch.
February 1, 2002... Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden will join Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences prexy Frank Pierson on Feb. 12 to announce the 2001 Academy Award nominations. Pierson and Harden will unveil noms in 10 of the 24 categories at the 5:38...

Tour promoter sues Jackson. (Inside Moves).(Marcel Avram sues Michael Jackson)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Concert promoter Marcel Avram has sued Michael Jackson, claiming the pop star is looking for another promoter for his upcoming World Concert Tour despite a signed agreement with Avram. He is seeking in excess of $20 million in damages. ...

Army archerd. (Just for Variety).
February 1, 2002... GOOD MORNING: The show -- and the party -- must go on. Paramedics were called to the Bel-Air Country Club Wednesday night, where Dick Martin was being partied by wife Dolly on his 80th birthday. Most of the strictly celeb guests who were...

Mudslinging at SAG: Gilbert, Harper sides attack before rerun.(Screen Actors Guild)(Melissa Gilbert)(Valerie Harper)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... With less than two weeks before ballots go out, the mudslinging has resumed in earnest in the campaign prior to SAG'S rerun election between Melissa Gilbert and Valerie Harper for president. The attacks and counterattacks began appearing in...

WGA gives Laurel to Charles bros.(Writers Guild of America)(Glen and Les Charles)(Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Glen and Les Charles, the team of brothers that has won eight Emmys for writing and producing sitcoms, have been tapped to receive the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television from the Writers Guild of America West. The Charles brothers...

'E.T.' flies to Shrine.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Shrine Auditorium will play host on March 16 to the re-release bow of Universal/Amblin's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." John Williams, who won the original-score Oscar for "E.T.," will conduct a 100-piece orchestra in a score-to-film...

Sherin to receive DGA nod.(Ed Sherin)(Directors Guild of America)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Directors Guild of America has tapped national VP Ed Sherin to receive its Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award for service to the org and membership. The kudo will be presented at the DGA Awards on March 9 at the Century Plaza Hotel in...

Blessed by the web: Internet trade org backs satcaster merger.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- EchoStar's much-maligned bid to merge with DirecTV has won the support of the national trade association repping the Internet biz, which says the union would ensure competition against such cable Goliaths as AOL Time Warner. ...

Splendid '01 results for Teuton firm.(German media group Splendid Medien)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... BERLIN -- German media group Splendid Medien's preliminary annual profits for 2001 reached 1.36 million euros ($1.17 million) on sales of $59 million, a 150% increase over last year's revenue and up on its own forecasts. Thursday's...

Lion, Best Buy to Bond in DVD anni campaign.(MGM Home Entertainment, James Bond anniversary release)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... MGM Home Entertainment is partnering with one of the nation's biggest sellers of DVDs -- Best Buy -- for the reintroduction of the entire James Bond film series later this year. The unprecedented long-term marketing campaign comes on the...

MGM taps Bader exec VP.(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer promotes Jonathan Bader to executive vice president)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... MGM Pictures has elevated Jonathan Bader to executive vice president of business affairs, filling a slot emptied the day before by Darcie Denkert's move to head a new Lion legit and licensing division, and by the revamping of MGM's legal and...

Virgin prexys out; EMI eyes producer.(Virgin Records co-presidents Ray Cooper, Ashley Newton)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Ray Cooper and Ashley Newton, co-presidents of EMI label Virgin Records, have ankled the company, apparent victims of EMI head honcho Alain Levy's continuing efforts to return the ailing music conglom to prosperity. Staffers in...

Showbiz Stocks.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Thursday, January 31, 2002 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN ... ...

Bowl may sack B.O.: Frosh 'Slackers,' 'Girl' bow in super sesh.(super bowl puts damper on movie releases)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Super Bowl may be a bonanza for television, but the hype typically puts a damper on moviegoing. This weekend figures to be no exception. The only openers are Sony/Screen Gems' "Slackers" and Miramax's "Birthday Girl," two R-rated...

Miramax, Hart Sharp to provide 'Proof'.(film adaptation of play)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- Miramax Films will finance and distribute "Proof," a film adaptation of David Auburn's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prizewinning play. Last year, producers John Hart, Jeffrey Sharp and Robert Kessel optioned the film rights via...

'Justice,' 'Crossing' ride high in ratings.(television ratings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... In its second week on the national syndie ratings chart, gaveler "Texas Justice" tied with "Crossing Over With John Edward" as the top-rated new strip this season in households. Both shows earned a 2.1 national household rating for the week...

'Today' still top ayemer; 'GMA' gains in key demos.(morning news program ratings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- NBC News' "Today" remains the front-runner in the ayem race, but "GMA" is gaining in key demos. "Today" averaged 5.9 million viewers, a dip of 7% from the same week last year, but still 1.4 million ahead of ABC News' "Good...

Datebook.(AFI Associates's International Film Series)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The AFI Associates will present two films as part of its Intl. Film Series in the AFI's Mark Goodson screening room. Argentina's "Son of the Bride" will unspool Saturday, and India's "Monsoon Wedding" will be screened Feb. 10. Both will be...

ZT Hollandia: Voices. (Legit Reviews).(Review)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... (Macgowan Little Theater, UCLA; 185 seats; $35) A UCLA Performing Arts presentation of a one-act performance created by theater group Zuidelijk Toneel Hollandia, based on text by Pier Paolo Pasolini and Cor Herkstroter. Director, John...

The Reception. (Legit Reviews).(Review)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... (Victory Theater, Burbank; 99 seats; $20 top) A Victory Theater presentation of a play in one act by Fritz Coleman. Directed Richard Kline. Sets, Molly Joseph; lights, Eileen Cooley; sound, Beverly Osgoode; visuals, Paul Drinkwater. Opened,...

American Adobo. (Film Reviews).(Review)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... (U.S.-Philippines) An Outrider Pictures release of an ABSCBN Entertainment and Unitel Pictures presentation in association with Magic Adobo Prods. Produced by Tony I. Gloria, Vincent R. Nebrida, Steve Max Grenyo. Executive producers, Charo...

Liberty Stands Still. (Film Reviews).(Review)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A Lions Gate Films release of a Lions Gate Entertainment and Cinerenta presentation of a Pearl Pictures production. Produced by Gary Pearl. Executive producers, Mario Ohoven, Michael Ohoven, William Vince, Peter Marshall. Directed, written...

Shuman joins KCOP team.(Phil Shuman)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... News veteran and radio host Phil Shuman will join L.A.'s KCOP 13 team beginning Monday. He has been a correspondent for the national newsmagazine "Extra" since 1996 and has hosted "The Phil Shuman Show" on KABC talk radio since 2000. ...

Births.
February 1, 2002... Nicole and Eddie Murphy, a girl, Bella Zahra Murphy, Jan. 29, Los Angeles. Mother's non-pro; father's an actor. Beata Pozniak Daniels and Jeffrey Daniels, a boy, Rylan Jacob Daniels, Nov. 8, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles....

Moog earns Tech Grammy.(Robert Moog)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Robert Moog, who invented the Moog synthesizer in 1965, and Apple Computer, which has revolutionized the use of computers in recording studios, will receive the Technical Grammy awards this year. The Technical Grammys are determined by the...

More 'Medicine' at lifetime.("Strong Medicine" wins award, Lifetime continues contract)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK - "Strong Medicine" is set to become a third-year resident at Lifetime, with the net ordering up another 22 episodes of the drama. The highest-rated original drama on basic cable in 2001, "Medicine" is produced by Columbia TriStar...

Par hears 'Human Voices'.(Paramount Classics secures rights to "Till Human Voices Wake Us")(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Paramount Classics has acquired multiterritory rights to Michael Petroni's "Till Human Voices Wake Us," starring Guy Pearce and Helena Bonham Carter, from Key Entertainment and Tomorrow Film Corp. Supernatural romance concerns a...

Teamster local backs tariff effort with cash.(Teamsters Local 399 donates $20,000 to Film and Television Action Committee)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Teamsters Local 399 has pledged $20,000 to the Film & Television Action Committee's controversial effort to seek countervailing tariffs against Canadian production subsidies. The funds are targeted toward legal costs that follow FTAC's...

Weekend Box Office Preview.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 1, 2002... WEEKEND BOX OFFICE PREVIEW RELEASE DATES AND CHANGES As of Jan. 31 (*) Pic New date Old date BUENA VISTA Treasure Planet Nov. 27 MIRAMAX Waking Up in Reno Feb 22 Feb. 15...

'Sam' hears PGA gong.
February 1, 2002... The Producers Guild of America has tapped the producers of New Line's "I Am Sam" to receive its inaugural Stanley Kramer Award. The kudos will be presented by the late filmmaker's wife, Karen Kramer, to producers Jessie Nelson, Edward...

Exec Shuffle.(executive appointments)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Joey Plager has been tapped senior veep of co-productions at Hearst Entertainment. Plager was previously VP of program enterprises and distribution at Showtime. Arlene Manos has been named prexy of Rainbow Advertising Sales Corp. Manos,...

Pair upped at Stone Stanley.(promotions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Stone Stanley Entertainment has upped David J. Decker to the newly created post of senior VP of business and legal affairs and promoted Jennifer Benner to VP, production finance. Decker, most recently veep of biz and legal affairs, will...

Confab NABs Leno for laffs.(National Association of Broadcasters, Jay Leno)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Turning up the laugh track, the National Assn. of Broadcasters announced Thursday it has signed Jay Leno to headline a 90-minute comedy show during the trade org's annual April confab in Las Vegas. Leno will perform for both...

Awe, shucks: Progress ain't what it used to be. (Real Life).(technologies used in the motion picture industry)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
February 1, 2002... AT VARIETY, OUR COMPUTER SYSTEM has recently been upgraded. This means we no longer have some of the glitches in the system that we used to have; we now have a whole new set of glitches. All the kinks will no doubt be ironed out just in time...

CNN, Al-Jazeera sever ties over bin Laden tape.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- CNN ended its affiliate relationship with Qatar-based satcaster Al-Jazeera Thursday after learning that the network lied about the existence of an on-camera interview with Osama bin Laden. Al-Jazeera has repeatedly denied it was...

ABC News staffers authorize strike.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- ABC News staffers covered by the Writers Guild of America East voted Wednesday night to authorize a strike against management, which is looking to remove a number of positions from union jurisdiction. The 135 producers,...

Broadway rolls 'out' rock.(new musicals)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- No longer called "Thoel," the new Billy Joel-Twyla Tharp musical will get a more mellifluous moniker, "Movin' Out," for its upcoming Broadway debut. Conceived, choreographed and directed by Tharp, the show is based on 26 songs...

Tonys make date with CBS.(Tony Awards, June 2)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... NEW YORK -- The 56th annual Tony Awards will be broadcast live on CBS from Radio City Music Hall on June 2. Gary Smith returns as executive producer, and Elizabeth Ireland McCann returns as managing producer. The eligibility cutoff...

Torch & go for games.(Winter Olympics)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... Patriotism was out in full force Friday night, as NBC set Olympics ratings records with its opening-night ceremonies from Salt Lake City Turnout then came back down to Earth a bit on Saturday, but was still up considerably vs. the 1998 Nagano...

Terrorist pic piques N.Y. (B.O. 'Damage' Control).(Collateral Damage)
February 11, 2002... Whether testimony to its Teuton topliner or an action-prone public, Arnold Schwarzenegger's terrorist-fighting turn in "Collateral Damage" seems to have suffered little from Sept. 11 fall-out. Warner Bros. shifted the pricey Bel Air co-prod...

UA clicking with Dickens.(United Artists Pictures; Nicholas Nickleby)(includes other news)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK -- United Artists Pictures has greenlit "Nicholas Nickleby," a new film version of the classic Charles Dickens novel, with Douglas McGrath ("Emma") to write and direct and Charlie Hunnam ("Adaptation") to star. Pie, budgeted at...

Too many toppers vying at Venice fest.(Venice International Film Festival)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... ROME -- Speculation and confusion over who will take the helm of the Venice Intl. Film Festival this fall intensified in Italy over the weekend as one leading candidate prematurely claimed the job as hers and another declared his willingness to...

Acad's all-nighter: Oscar to stay up late for noms.(Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Imagine being locked up overnight with your co-workers. The phones are shut down. You're not allowed to sleep, you're not allowed to leave. It sounds like a Freudian nightmare. But for two dozen workers at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts &...

Arnold, WB on top with $15 million. (B.O. 'Damage' Control).(Arnold Schwarzenegger, Warner Bros.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... Warner Bros./Bel Air finally un-spooled Sept. 11 victim "Collateral Damage" over the weekend, and the Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner captured the box office flag with an estimated $15.2 million in three-day grosses. Universal family laffer...

Storyline gets Rich's 'Ghost'.(Storyline Entertainment;)('Ghost Light,' by Frank Rich)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Storyline Entertainment partners Craig Zadan and Neil Neil Meron have acquired screen rights for New York Times columnist Frank Rich's memoir "Ghost Light," setting the film up at Disney and ABC. Published by Random House in 2000, "Ghost...

Altman bearing up: Berlin fest fetes helmer's achievements.(Robert Altman; Berlin International Film Festival)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... BERLIN - Robert Altman picked up his honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement Sunday night at the 52nd Berlin Intl. Film Festival before the out-of-competition screening of his "Gosford Park." "I hope this isn't a lifetime achievement...

Sound editors pick noms for Golden Reel Awards.(Motion Picture Sound Editors)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... The Motion Picture Sound Editors org has made its 2001 nominations for the 49th Annual Golden Reel Awards. Noms for sound editing -- effects and foley -- in a domestic feature film were handed to "AI: Artificial Intelligence," "Black Hawk...

Correction.(to article in issue of February 7, 2002,)(about David Imhoff)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... David Imhoff has been promoted to senior exec VP, worldwide licensing and merchandising, for New Line. His title was incorrect in a headline in Thursday's paper.

Editors tap Watters, Gibbs for life kudos.(American Cinema Editors; Antony Gibbs;)(George D. Watters)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... The American Cinema Editors have chosen veteran editors Antony Gibbs and George D. Watters as this year's winners of its Lifetime Achievement Awards. The kudos will be awarded Feb. 24 at the 52nd ACE Eddie Awards at the Beverly Hilton...

Niche pix in demand: Pay-per-view distrib creates two channels.(In Demand; Cinema in Demand; Urban in)(Demand)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK -- In Demand, the dominant pay-per-view distributor of movies and events in the U.S., has opened the door to more offbeat movies by creating two specialized channels. one channel, Cinema in Demand, will schedule movies that would...

Col TriStar bows new destination.(Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment launches Destination Films)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is launching the Destination Films label to raise the profile of popular specialty product such as anime and Asian action films. Col will bring out one or two titles on the Destination label each month,...

Scribes spin 'Alice for Craven, dimension.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK -- Jon and Erich Hoeber will write "Alice," a feature film to be directed by Wes Craven and produced by Craven's partner, Marianne Maddalena, for Dimension Films. Also producing are Collision Entertainment's Scott Faye and Paul...

USA films walks with McHenry.(USA Films signs deal with Doug McHenry's Elephant Walk Entertainment)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... USA Films has signed a two-year, first-look deal with producer-director Doug McHenry's film and television production shingle, Elephant Walk Entertainment. The deal covers Elephant Walk features that McHenry produces or directs. Lana W....

U, Misher rap deal for hip-hop biopic.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK -- Universal Pictures and Misher Films will turn the life story of hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons into a feature. Companies have optioned "Life and Def," the autobiography Simmons wrote with Nelson George. The film will be produced...

The firm leaps to London with griffiths at the helm.(Richard Griffiths hired)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK -- Richard Griffiths has been tapped president of international operations at the Firm management company, where he will head up a London office and become a member of the management team. Formed in 1997 by Jeff Kwatinetz and...

Kids' WB! Leaps to renew 5.(programs renewed)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... NEW YORK -- Kids' WB! has booked five of its most successful shows for another season. The WB weblet has given early season pickups to "Pokemon: Master Quest," "Jackie Chan Adventures;' "X-Men: Evolution," "The Mummy: Secrets of the...

UTA's lit man Lesher mulls new endeavors. (Inside Moves).(John Lesher quits United Talent Agency)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... United Talent Agency partner and literary agent John Lesher delivered the unhappy news to his tenpercentery's board last week: He was planning to leave at the end of his contract, which is understood to expire in 13 or 14 months. Lesher...

Hoffman to CUE GIG.(Gregg Hoffman hired at Creative Union Entertainment)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Gregg Hoffimann has ankled his post as exec VP at Lynda Obst's LRO Enterprises to become a partner in international distributor and film financier Creative Union Entertainment. Move reunites Hoffmann with partners Neil Sacker and...

Oscar watch.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Bruce Vilanch has been named head writer for the 74th Academy Awards telecast - the 13th time he has been tapped to write for the event. Vilanch will head a crew of show writers that includes Dave Boone, Carrie Fisher, Chris Henchy, Carol...

Fox hits homer run: 'Simpsons' goodies prepped for int'l Toy Fair.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Mmmmm... merchandising. As the 2002 Intl. Toy Fair gets under way in New York this week, Fox Licensing and Merchandising is preparing new products related to Fox Broadcasting's long-running hit toon laffer "The Simpsons." Coming soon to...

Fong upped to veep of Fox diversity.(Wenda Fong hired at Fox Broadcasting)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Fox Broadcasting has upped Wenda Fong to VP of diversity development. New gig makes Fong an internal consultant to all FBC departments and business units on matters of diversity. She'll also remain the primary day-today contact to outside...

Actors begin re-vote amid more confusion.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Balloting in SAG'S re-run election officially begins today, amid even more confusion than usual. That's because the election issue has become tied up with SAG'S monthlong negotiations with Hollywood's talent agents over a new master...

New line preps next 'Final'.(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Thesp Michael Landes has inked a deal to topline New Line Cinema's sequel to sleeper hit "Final Destination." He currently toplines UPN scifi skein "Special Unit," playing a police detective who specializes in tracking down the missing...

Kirch stake sinks BSkyB to record loss. (Business).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... LONDON--British Sky Broadcasting has posted a record loss of [pounds sterling]1.26 billion ($1.8 billion) after writing off its $1.39 billion investment in Kirch Group's pay TV platform, Premiere World. The satcaster, however, said it...

Showbiz stocks. (Business).
February 11, 2002... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Friday, February 8, 2002 Find stock prices and news about any company at Variety.com/stocks YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AMC AEN ... ...

Sony has a new SPIN: Unit to pursue Web promotion opportunities. (Business).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment has formed Sony Pictures Integrated Network, a division to seek out online promotional opportunities that can be launched across all of the studio's film, TV and homevid arms. SPIN will manage the...

AOL stock buoyed after Case buys million shares. (Business).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... AOL Time Warner chairman Steve Case last week bought 1 million shares of his company on the open market, increasing his stake to 11 million shares. The purchase was revealed Friday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission....

Subs, losses rise at Spanish cabler. (Business).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... MADRID - Pointing to the first significant growth in Spanish cable TV, ONO, the country's largest cable operator, doubled its subscriber count last year to 333,997. Revenues for the year rose 178% over 2000 to 143 million euros ($124...

CTIT names Brown veep. (Business).(Columbia TriStar International Television, Christina Brown)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Columbia TnStar Intl. Television has tapped Christina Brown VP of finance, with new responsibility for all finance activities of the division's production and distribution operations. She will report to Mark Lebowitz, senior VP and chief...

Western head East: Teutonic 'Shoe' treads into Euro regions. (World News).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... BERLIN -- Germany's biggest local hit, "Manitu's Shoe," has been sold throughout Eastern Europe. Munich-based theatrical sales outfit Beta Cinema, a division of Kirch Media's Beta Film, has closed deals for Michael Herbig's zany...

Irish up as 'Sunday' sells to Euro markets. (World News).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... BERLIN -- Paul Greengrass' "Bloody Sunday," which wowed audiences when it screened in competition here Wednesday, was sold to distribs in Italy, Greece, Portugal and Iceland, Tristan Whalley, exec producer of the film, told Daily Variety on...

Signpost taps Winterstern. (World News).(Signpost Films, Henry Winterstern)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... LONDON -- Henry Winterstern has been appointed chairman of Signpost Films, Stewart Till's new film production and distribution company. Winterstern is the co-founder and managing partner of CDP Capital Entertainment, an investment and...

Hallmark net adds policer 'Taggart'. (World News).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... LONDON -- SMG TV Prods. has inked a licensing deal with Crown Media's Hallmark Channel for the back catalog of veteran Brit policer "Taggart." Agreement, worth some $300,000, involves premiering "Taggart" in Israel and parts of Eastern...